LEBANON, Ill. – The men's basketball program will open up Great Lakes Valley Conference play when they host Rockhurst University on Thursday, November 30th at 7:30 p.m. and the William Jewell College Cardinals on Saturday, December 1st at 3:00 p.m. in the Melvin Price Convocation Center.
GLVC Sports Network PPV
New this year for the GLVC Sports Network is the conference has moved to a Pay-Per-View model for men's and women's basketball. The game will cost $10. Viewers also have the option to buy an all-sport pass for $75, and a full GLVC package for all four sports at $100.
All games will be streamed at GLVCSN.com/McKendree.
Game Happenings
On Thursday against the Rockhurst Hawks, McKendree is hosting a white out. We are encouraging every fan to wear white for the conference opener.
On Saturday, December 1st, this will be the first of three games we are accepting toy donations on behalf of Toys for Tots. If you bring in a toy, you be admitted to the game free of charge.
Series History
The Bearcats and Hawks have been tightly matched over their history against one another. The series is tied at six game apiece. Even more contested is the two teams are only separated by 15 points in the all-time series with RU holding the advantage (913-898). McKendree is on a five-game win streak against the Hawks, including an 80-75 win last time on February 11, 2023.
Against the William Jewell Cardinals, the Bearcats hold the advantage at 7-4, including winners of the last five of six matchups. The teams battled on three separate courts last season (at William Jewell, at McKendree and in the GLVC Tournament hosted at Lindenwood) with the Bearcats taking two of the three contests.
Scouting the Bearcats
So far on the season, the Bearcats are 3-1 and have won their last three contests. Last time out, McKendree hit the road for a tough contest against the previously undefeated and seventh-ranked Ferris State Bulldogs. Although a close game throughout, the Bearcats were able to walk away with the 71-68 victory.
The top shooting in the nation at 56.1% along with top five in free throw percentage at 82.4%, the Bearcats have started the season on a successful note. Leading the offense is junior forward Milos Vicentic who is top 10 in Division II at 24.8 points per game. He began the year with a career-high 33 points in the three-point loss to Tiffin.
Supporting Vicentic in the scoring column has been Caleb Zurliene averaging 14 points per game while shooting 60% from the field. He also averaging 2.75 blocks per game on the defensive end.
Scouting the Hawks
The Hawks have begun the year with a record of 3-3, including winning their last two against Missouri Southern and Avila University (Mo.). They are led by Timaris Brown who has started five of the six games so far this season. While shooting 44.6% from the field, Brown is averaging 14 points per game. The other guy averaging double figures is Miles White who has started every game and dropping 12 points per game in 22 minutes of action per game. White is also top 25 in Division II shooting 52% from beyond the arc at 26 of 50.
Scouting the Cardinals
Before coming to Lebanon, the Cardinals will play at Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday to open their conference slate. Coming into the weekend, WJC holds an overall record of 5-1 with their lone loss coming against Missouri Western State by the score of 84-82.
Shooting 42% from beyond the arc, the Cardinals are a top 10 team in the nation. Leading that charge, is Trey Shannon who is 13 of 22 (59.1%) and Jordan Jermain who is 13 of 32 (40.6%). Jermain and Kobe McKinley are both averaging almost 20 points per game while playing over 30 minutes a game.
